I'm also glad to see finally see some discussion that is more balanced on the last page. I'm trying to understand the unecessary barriers the MINI has. It's not about converting Mini people to MINI, or stealing glory, or whatever the issues are that drive this BINI bashing crap. It's just another Mini, not like they were made from melted down classics, so why the homophobic style behavour?
Opinions and dislike are fair game, but you'd have to be non-caucasion to appreciate what it is to own a MINI in this forum. It's like the new racial prejudice, and owners must justify themselves against often redneck comments. Seems every new MINI thread here is likely to become a BINI bash in it's end. Yes we know your opinion, we read the same in the last MINI thread. So I've gotta ask, does the same crap happen with the old Corolla..or Gallant owners?
For the record I drive both minis, and I can confirm, yes they ARE different cars. It does take more than a half hour test drive to have a satifactory opinion on what ides they share, despite the design rush to modern standards. The good news is that the new MINI can carry a heavy tool box without adverse affects on performance. This is fantasic for when my Mini breaks down.
All other comments regards comparison of these cars is summed up in a scene from "The Castle"...."It's just a vibe".
Yes new MINIs do have their faults, things do break. It has become the advantage of other forums that there is now a wealth of solutions, simply because of the rejection by classic Mini communities. I'd stretch that and say shared knowlege enhances
Next I'll answer some criticism that I thought have been respectfully put regards MINIs.
1 Cost too much? Maybe not. For all the nice people I have met because of the MINI, I doubt we would have found them otherwise with the money we might have saved. MINI people are good people, just like classic owners, except you actually get to meet them because they don't cancel last minute because of a unforceen break downs. You get to go visit bendy roads that as a classic driver I could only dream of. Go to Canberra for the day just for fun, maybe not in a classic, but not a problem in a MINI. As for cheaper options the someone who bought a WR-X at the same time was just as enthusiastic, but now doesn't care. Those better (cheaper) cars just loose their "fun factor" evenually it appears.
2. Chrysler Engine. Seems to have been the pick for reliabiliy, considering BMW welcomes owners to drive them like they were stolen. Yet there is no failure issues or problems to note. Slower engines still go faster than broken ones they say, but there's always room for improvement tho as per any power plant. Till then the supercharger has a very classic sound that is far from the sound of boiling rice.
3 A BMW? Every MINI owner gets pissed when tosses in beamers get seved first at local dealers. Comparing MINI to BMWs is like compairing Morris Commercial to Mini or Clubman to P76 to explain.
4. Crumple Zones and that other crap is mandatory by law. Don't like it, then form a government and change it. Some safety systems can be turned off you know.
Some new MINI owners have their reasons for want these features. Read here
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1702160&postcount=3459
5. A tactile driving experience may have been found in a HK Monaro too. How times change. To get out of the MINI and back into the Mini is a fun return to basics. To get BACK into the MINI is a faster fun tho.
The new MINI Community is growing, and is evolving mostly less the crap that has divided Classic Mini owners. These people are putting the name Mini on the road every weekend in larger numbers, thru bendy roads, just because it's a fun thing to do. Their cars are all individual and some have had a Mini before. They don't really care to take criticism for it, yet remain positive to welcome Classic Mini owners out as well. Feel free to love your own Mini, they do, just don't rubbish others please!
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